London police charge teen for Nigerian rapper’s murder

The London Metropolitan Police have charged 18-year-old Rayhan Yasin Ali for the murder of Nigerian rapper, Abiola Akerele (aka Nayta The King), in London.

The Met police stated on their website that Akerele, 28, was fatally stabbed by Ali during a fight at about 3.20pm (GMT) in Stondon Walk, East Ham on December 29.

The police said they immediately swept into action after the incident was reported, saying they deployed the London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance to the scene.

However, despite the efforts of the emergency services, Akerele was pronounced dead at the scene.

The police said a special post-mortem examination established the cause of Akerele’s death to be a stab wound to the heart.

Ali was arrested around 11pm (GMT) on the same day at an address in Newham on suspicion of murder and charged with murder on Friday, January 1.

The police said Ali was due to appear in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Saturday on allegation of murder.

A detective, Joanna Yorke, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command (Homicide) said, “Our investigation is continuing at pace and we are working tirelessly to give Abiola’s family the answers they deserve. This murder took place in daylight, in a residential area, at a time when we know many people were in their homes. I believe that there would be people in the local community who either saw, heard or know something about this incident. I urge those people to get in touch.”

The police requested anyone who witnessed the incident or who knew anything about what happened to call 101 or tweet @MetCC, quoting CAD 3667/29DEC.

“Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111,” the police added.

The Evening Standard said Akerele was a member of East London-based music group, The Mucky Wolfpack, and appeared on national radio and BBC 1Xtra show.

Further reports showed that friends have mourned Akerele on Facebook. His stage name, Nayta The King, is his Facebook name.

One Kesh Wale wrote, “Sleep well, king.”

Also, Danyal Aman wrote, “We come from dust and to dust we return. One too many.”

Akerele’s Soundcloud account showed that he had released five tracks so far since 2011, with his last track posted about 10 months ago.